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Boat Show a big success

Thousands migrated toward the shores of Okanagan Lake this weekend to see what Kelowna Yacht Club's 19th annual boat show had to offer.

Thousands migrated toward the shores of Okanagan Lake this weekend to see what Kelowna Yacht Club's 19th annual boat show had to offer.

"It's become a real family event," said Lisa McHaffie, chairperson of the boat show, noting that participation rates in the free public activity were seemingly at an all time high.

In turn, there was a bounty for those in attendance to see.

Nearly 170 boats were out in the water and there were a handful of land exhibits on the muster station and the commodore's dock.

There were also informational exhibits in the clubhouse, which was open to the public.

"I like to say this is a superstore for boat enthusiasts," said McHaffie.

"There is no other place in the Okanagan where there's as high a concentration of boats like this with as much of variety."

It's no wonder, as Kelowna also has the largest moorage basin right across Canada.

Boating has become a staple in the Okanagan and the boat show helps ensure that it's something that people from all walks can continue to access.

"One of the biggest pieces of the boat show is that the proceeds of what the exhibitors pay, goes toward the 32 public mooring spaces we have in the lake," said McHaffie, adding that they could offer protection from a windstorm or merely a parking space so a land lunch could be secured. Creating two more spots is on the agenda for the year ahead.

There were also donated funds collected upon entry. They were to be split between the Disabled Sailing Association of B.C. and the club's sailing and watersports program.